Rolling Stone has an article on two Christian Conferences called Battle Cry and Acquire the Fire. These are events for Evangelical Teenagers who want to get fired-up and violent for Christ.

They're about to accept "the mark of a warrior," explains Ron Luce, commander in chief of BattleCry, the most furious youth crusade since young sinners in the hands of an angry God flogged themselves with shame in eighteenth-century New England.

The rhetoric of these conferences is a little different than most in that they tend to glorify violence. But after reading the article, I was like, this is no different than any of the youth conferences I attended as a teen in the 90's.

At Acquire the Fire, Luce tells the kids to make lists of secular pleasures they'll sacrifice for the cause. Hanneh starts with Bow Wow and Usher, bites her pen, and then decides to go big: "Music," she writes, then "Friends" — the nonfundamentalist ones — and "Party." This, she explains, is a polite way of saying "sex." Not that she's had any, or knows anyone her age who has, but she's learned from Luce that "the culture" wants to force it upon her at a young age. "The world," he tells her, is a forty-five-year-old pervert posing as another tween online.

I realize that documenting fundamentalist Christians is the new black in journalism. But I wish the journalists would focus less on the fundamentalism and more on the greed. Delve into how much it costs to go to these conferences, and where the money goes. I'm betting a lot of it goes to Ron Luce's pocket.

Here is a great article in the Portland Mercury that discusses a Portland Evangelical conference called Restore America.  The conference is centered around motivating Christians to become more involved in Government.

Restore America was founded in 1999 by David Crowe, with the sole intention of getting evangelical Christians to become more involved in civic affairs—like voting. Much like the American evangelical movement as a whole, the organization has relied on two arguments: that America's Founding Fathers meant for the country to be officially Christian, and that modern Christianity is "under attack!"

This second point is repeated throughout the entire conference, with a host of assailants getting the credit for doing the devil's work—activist judges, secular humanists, Hollywood, homosexuals, and Muslims. This paranoia comes despite the fact that evangelicals were—until last November—in control of every branch of government, and reportedly make up the largest voting block in the country. But when you believe in a religion that places high value on martyrdom, you'll start seeing persecution lurking around every corner. I asked Crowe about this, and why evangelicals think that anyone who disagrees with them politically is attacking their religion.

"Isn't it possible that people can disagree with you without it being a persecution of Christians?" I asked.

"Oh, no. Christianity is definitely under attack," Crowe responded.

Yeah, Christianity is under attack by Christians who believe more in personal wealth and power than in helping the poor.

I did some blog searching and found a few comments about this year's Generation Unleashed Conference. I'm rather conflicted about "youth conferences" in general, mostly, because I am yet to see one that isn't based solely on hype. I don't want to say that they are all bad, but really…is hyping God good for our youth?

At first glance I would say, look at all these kids excited about worshiping God, look at how ready they are to "take the nation", "start a revival", and "live for Jesus"…how can there be anything wrong with that?

I then have to remember my personal experience. I have been to many conferences where I sang, danced, cried, and promised that "I would never be the same again"…but there is one problem: We are the same. People don't change…at least not in a short 3 day conference time period. "Living a life to honor God" takes a bit of time and is not solved by crying out of desperation at the alter once a year. It's more of a life journey.

Ok, so am I really saying that brining 9,000 kids to Portland, Oregon every year to get pumped up about God is wrong …it sounds crazy to say that…right?

Let's look at what one blogger had to say about GU:

HOLY GATES OT HEAVEN!!!
Gen Unleashed is one of the most LIFE CHANGING experiences that like you'll ever have!!!
I dont even know if u can understand the AMAZINGNESS of it..until u go…!
But, its so cool, because like theres literally, THOUSANDS of teenagers there for the same reason…Jesus….& they like ALL just TOTALLY full-on worship God!
He like totally moves people right & left!  (te he…not literally..lol)
n e ways, THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS THE MOST  AMAZING FEELING THAT U CAN EVER HAVE!!!
***& u totally feel Him @ GU..fer sher!*** 
~ I cant even wait till next year~

Once you get past the fact that texting is ruining the English language, you see that she is very excited about God…how can that be bad?

Let's read another:

i had the most amazing weekend ever! my life has truly CHANGED. i have figured out everything that i questioned. everything has been answered for me. i have never cried so much i have never had so much fun nor been so happy. it was amazing. it was incredible seeing people do one hundred percent turn arounds in seconds. i love the new me. i love who i am and who i have become. i do not want the old me anymore. and its time to cut the people out of my life who are only care about themselfs. i want frineds who are going to be there whenEVER i need them. if i need someone to talk to or a sholder to cry on even if it is two thirty in the morning. they will be there. i want people that will infuluence me in a positive way and not bring me down or minipulate me and get me to do negative ways. if you do not like this then i am sorry…no im not sorry. this is me! love me for me NOT for who you want me to be! have a good night :]]

So I went to Generation Unleashed this year…and basically….God totally changed my life! I cannot begin to describe the happiness that I am feeling! I have been completly transformed into a new women of God. AND I am proud of it!! seriously…………..wow……lol           

God "totally changed her life"…that sound's pretty good. Let's read one more:

GEN UNLEASHED WAS INSANLY AMAZING! AND THE WORSHIP WAS INCREDIBLE!

Again, i was amazed by God's grace this year at Gen Unleashed. Im so glad that i went, because part of me didn't want to.  It changed me once again, and i realized how bad ive screwed up this last year.  And i think that may be one of the reasons i didn't want to go is cuz of all that guilt.  But you know in the end, i realized that no matter how much or how bad i screw up, God will be there no matter wut. 

Im ready  to change for good this time i want to live for God and not for myself or anyone else.. just for him. It seems that for so long ive been hiding a lot of things about my life… and sometimes even my faith (or at least not showing it to its full extent) but im done with that…. im ready to do this right this time… im ready to stand up and live for my God!

There it is. There is the problem. You see, this chick is going through the same experience that I went through and that every high school kid I knew went through: It's called Reality. Life. It's what happens during the 51 weeks between conferences. Unfortunately we can't spend 2 hours everyday having a great band lead us in "worship" getting us pumped to go "cry at the alter" (side note: from a simple "Christian music" standpoint, most of the songs I've heard from GU's God's Not Dead cd are great. I don't know that it really qualifies as "worship", but they put out a good album). You see, her desire is "to live for God and not for [her]self or anyone else.. just for him", but it didn't work at last years show and sadly, it won't work now.

When the buzz wears off in a couple of weeks she is going to be in the same place as she was last year: screwing up and feeling guilty. (I'm not trying to be harsh or to pick on her…I don't know who she is…I'm speaking from my own personal experience here). She says this year's conference "changed [her] once again", but if it doesn't last, is it really change?

To sum up my thoughts, Youth conferences are fun, and they inspire for a short time but in the end they leave you cold. Your crash often takes you farther away from God then where you were before you got your high. I say that because I lived that.

Where is the "fruit" from Generation Unleashed? Where are all the life changing, revival makers now? When I was 16, 17, 18, and 19 years old I attended those same conferences with thousands of other youth, so why haven't we changed the world by now?  Because when the conference is over… the hype wears off.

And that is my sad opinion.

I have never had so many people send me the same item at the same time. Yesterday, City Bible emailed an invitation to their Thrive Conference. And though I am not on their list, the invite manged to make its way to my inbox within seconds.

I tried to post the whole invite, but could not fit it all on the page and make it readable. So I'm just going to link to their Conference Website. You can judge for yourself whether this conference is about Jesus or about money.

A long time member of City Bible emailed me her take:

Just had this in my inbox and had to share it.  The part that really gets me is the preferred seating for the Thrive Conference.  OK, so I understand the parking thing.  There's limited space on the butte and this is their way to control it.  But preferred seating???  Oh please. 

I don't know if you've ever been to one of these things, but this is what happens:  hours before the auditorium doors open, there are the faithful who "camp" right in front of the doors. More and more people come until the foyer is packed.  Then the doors open and it's a melee down to the front to get the "good" seats.  Maybe this is CBC's way of confining that a bit, I don't know.  But isn't there something in James about who we give the best seats to?  Hmmmm.  Maybe it has something to do with $$$?  Nah.

I'm shocked! Shocked. I tell you.  

Everybody's buddy, Arcane Warrior, recently sent me this email.

I am attaching the link to a pdf version of a flyer I reveiced in the mail. It is called Seminars4Worship. On this 2 day seminar, I can learn a lot of new stuff about how to worship. If I act now, I can go to this conference for only $195. If I am an alumni, (meaning that I have gone before I assume) then the cost is $99. If I wait, I pay $249.

But wait, here's the good part. If I want to get the "Go Deeper" package, the cost jumps to $499. Granted, I will get one Integrity Worship Institute Class for free if I pay this amount.

I am losing heart.

Here's the link:

http://www.seminars4worship.com/images/S4W-web-broch-021606.pdf

If that seminar doesn't interest you try http://www.cmtc.org/. According to the brochure I received "If you are ready for increase you MUST attend this event". For only $119 (workbook not included) you will learn how to keep your money from the IRS.

Remember "GOD CANNOT AND WILL NOT BLESS A MESS" (apparently they don't consider being born a sinner a "MESS" and salvation a "BLESSING", but with all the new tithe laws who can blame them).

My brother Jesse just forwarded me

a link to THE.BEST.NEWSARTICLE.EVER!  (Sorry Zach.)  Last weekend, there was an Aquire the Fire rally at the Portland Coliseum. And the Portland Mercury sent out a reporter to cover the event. It was no Generation Unleashed, but a good time nonetheless. The reporter makes some incredible observations. (I'll be honest, I wish I had written the article.) Also, as my brother Jesse mentions, the pictures are too good. As always, I challenge you to read the whole thing, but let me share a paragraph to whet your appetite:

A year ago, I blogged about the Northwest Breakthrough Conference. Specifically, I questioned City Bible’s decision to charge attendees $20 to park, since there was not really any other way to get to the church. And thus, the church was basically adding a $20 fee to attend the conference.

This year I am happy to report that City Bible has listened to my complaint and is now providing free shuttles to the conference. The shuttles are available at the airport and various hotels around the church.

And in order to clear up any confusion, here is City Bible’s new parking manifesto:

• Automobile parking passes are available $20. A parking pass guarantees you a place to park on the City Bible Church campus. These parking passes are available only for the first 250 requests for conference A and the first 250 for conference B
• If you are staying at one of the listed hotels, please use our free shuttles
• If you live in the Portland area, we encourage you to use public transportation.
  Please use our free shuttles from Leatherman, 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle
  Portland, OR 97220 (off 122nd and Airport Way).

I have got to be honest. This seems like a pretty good response. Obviously, City Bible still does not have to charge for parking, but I have begun to realize that these conferences are held for primarily one purpose, to make money. And charging for parking fits nicely within that purpose. Yet to their credit, City Bible is at least providing alternatives for those who cannot or do not want to pay for parking.

Lastly, the conference also includes a seminar on Mr. Damazio’s new book titled, 14 Tests All Leaders Must Face.  I guess during the seminar, Mr. Damazio goes through the 14 tests that all leaders must face. Someone let me know if rebellious bloggers make the list. Somehow I sincerely doubt it, but I would really appreciate the recognition for all my hard work.

The “Eternity” play is now showing at your local CBC campus and I wanted to share a few excerpts from their website http://www.eternityproduction.com/index.html and then give a few thoughts of my own.

For those who don’t know, "Eternity" is a play where they show people dying and going to either heaven (if you’re a good person) or hell (if you’re gay). It basically uses scare tactics to get people to the alter. Yes, it’s effective for short term results; NO, it’s not effective for long term goals. Fear only motivates for a short time; people get numb too quickly.

With that in mind, here’s what they have to say:

They said: “Eternity" is an intense dramatic presentation of the Gospel that shows the reality of life after death… Heaven or Hell.

RP said: Really? Maybe a better title would have been “Heaven’s Gates/ Hell’s Flames”.

They said: City Bible Church determined to better impact their community for Christ. In 1996, Senior Pastor Frank Damazio and Pastor Ed Schefter set out to develop an outreach that would win souls by activating the local church. As a result, Eternity was built to be a relevant and hard hitting ninety-minute stage presentation to preach the gospel of Christ.

RP said: Let me re-write this accurately:
As you can see, not only do I think “Eternity” is a waste of time; I also think it’s a plagiarized waste of time. Now, what does the Bible say about stealing? (Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal). But, I suppose if you change the music it’s not really stealing. Isn’t that right, Ed?

City Bible Church determined to better impact their community for Christ and make a little cash on the side. In 1996 Senior Pastor Frank Damazio and Pastor Ed Schefter stole an outreach that would win souls by activating the local church. As a result, the play "Heaven’s Gates / Hell’s Flames" was renamed "Eternity" and they’ve been taking credit for it ever since.

For those of you interested in learning about the real “Eternity” please visit http://mze.com/heavensgates/

For those of you not wanting to waste your time; please don’t visit either site.

Its Sunday, and I haven’t posted in a while, which means JP is probably sitting at home fuming over my lack of dedication to the blog. So in an effort to head off an angry phone call, I am going to discuss my favorite website: www.genunleashed.com

They recently posted comments from kids who attended the 2005 Gen Conference. Nothing pleases me more, than reading these comments. I love ‘em. Anyway a couple of them caught my interest, so here are my reactions to the Gen Unleashed comments.

Jordan - Generation Unleashed acts as a Furnace or Catalyst that speedily puts us in a place of surreneder and openess to what the spirit is doing. A catalyst that puts us in an open place to experience the awesome heart of God and forever be changed. - GU 2005

Is Jordan mocking me? I totally think he’s mocking me. This is GU’s way of getting back at this blog… to which I say, "Touche, Gen Church Ministries… …touche."

Gabe - Today, my first day back in school, people were amazed, and kept asking me what I was on. I told them it was the Holy Spirit. - GU 2005

Highschool kids really are that stupid. The kids probably asked Gabe where they could score some "Holy Spirit". I remember getting back from these functions, and people would be like, "Wow you’re so happy. What happened?" And I’d be like, "I just got to spend 5 days away from my family. Five whole days. It was the best… oh, thank you Jesus, …Praise the Lord."

Cassie - I attend Willamette University, an extremely liberal school and have been afraid to say things at times when prompted. Doug’s sharing of the testimony regarding involvement in Measure 36 really convicted and encouraged me. - GU 2005

If you think its difficult to be a Christian in a liberal school, then you should probably be sympathetic to what its like to be gay. You don’t have to support homosexuality, but you should probably still accept them. And if you speak out against homosexuality, but ignore the million other sins your classmates are committing, well, its kind of hypocritical.

Also, I attended Willamette as well, and yes its liberal. But almost all colleges are liberal. You know why, because its full of 19-22 year old kids who are away from home for the first time. I remember my first day at college, and the Resident Advisor was like, "Listen there aren’t a lot of rules here. Basically, please don’t break the law. Please don’t break any of my stuff. And for the love of all that is sacred and holy, "Please, no fornicating in the hallway." I didn’t really understand that rule, until my roomate came home from a party one night with some girl and they started having sex in the bed right next to mine. I promptly kicked them out of the room and sent them to the hallway. I figured, "better the hallway, than right next to my face."

Glenn - I love your band and I think that Jeremy Scott and Donna Lasit are awesome! - GU 2005.

I’m pretty sure Jeremy Scott wrote this one.

Alright, well great… that’s my post for the day… good times… good times…

(Oh and all the stuff about my family and JP. Its all a joke. I love my family. And me and JP aren’t really fighting. Its just funnier when I write it that way.)

Tickets to NW Breakthrough - $75
Parking @ the conference - $20
Water Bottle w/CBC logo on it - $2
Knowing that the hype only last 2 weeks - Priceless